Easy Wheely: meer vrijheid en comfort voor rolstoelgebruikers!

A personal story made it obvious that the world is full of obstacles for wheelchair users. In a survey of wheelchair users, 43.50% said they experienced poor cushioning and comfort. As an industrial design student, Wannes wanted to develop a new kind of wheel that offers superior comfort, is easy to maintain and tells a story. He wanted to make a wheel as circular as possible from recycled and mono-materials. The design is fully modular, making every part replaceable. An innovative tool allows ball bearings to be replaced easily and independently, using only one hand and even with limited motor skills. They offer free instructional videos. The modular character also contributes to sustainability and cost savings. With their user-centred approach and practical support, they enable wheelchair users to carry out maintenance and repairs independently.

The jury on Easy Wheely:

Wheelchairs are not actually designed for our cities. Doorsteps, potholes and cobblestones are day-to-day obstacles that the front wheels are confronted with time and again. The Easy Wheelie was created out of the frustration of being forced to use a wheelchair. Because of the way the wheel is designed, everyday obstacles can be overcome. What’s more, you can easily fix them yourself, hair no longer gets caught between the axle and you can brighten them up with your own message. A refreshing design with potential.

What does this award mean to you?

“For us, this award is great recognition of our commitment and dedication over the past years. It confirms that our creative, design-oriented approach really makes a difference for wheelchair users. The Henry van de Velde Award is a prestigious award and we are incredibly proud to be among them.

As a young start-up, this is a big step forward and proof that our innovation is catching people’s eye. We have invested a huge amount of time, passion and resources into research and development to create something that is not only innovative, but also adds real value to the daily lives of wheelchair users. This recognition provides the motivation for us to continue to grow, improve and bring comfort, accessibility and design even closer together.”

How did the idea for this project come about?

Two years ago, my life changed due to a medical setback. I ended up temporarily in a wheelchair, an experience that changed my outlook on accessibility forever. What used to be invisible became painfully obvious: the world is full of obstacles. Cobbles, curbs and potholes restricted my freedom and made every trip a challenge. As a student, I built my own 3D printer in my student room and produced my first prototypes, which I tested on a skateboard. To my surprise, the wheels survived up to 45 km/h. Adrenaline coursed through my body, both from the speed and the realisation that the wheel really worked. Once I was sure this concept worked, I applied the same principle to a wheelchair to have an impact there.

What makes your project so special?

“At Easy Wheely, we believe that a wheelchair should be more than just functional, it should also be comfortable, durable and personal. That’s why we 3D print our tyres, so the cushioning is perfectly matched to each user’s weight, lifestyle and preferences. In addition, rims can also be personalised with unique patterns, figures or texts, designed using a template or even with the help of AI.

Our modular system ensures that parts can be easily replaced or upgraded, making the wheel last longer and remain affordable. Innovative protective caps keep bearings free of hair and dirt. Easy Wheely stands for smart innovation: wheels that move alongside the user and the future.”

How does it contribute to a better world?

“Easy Wheely makes the world more accessible, more inclusive and colourful for wheelchair users. With our innovative, 3D-printed front wheels, we offer greater comfort, freedom and independence. The wheels cushion shocks, never get a puncture and require hardly any maintenance.

Our modular design and developed tools mean that every part is easily replaceable, even for people with limited fine motor skills. This ensures the wheel remains sustainable, affordable and user-friendly.”

Do you have any further plans for this project?

We want to expand our team as well as our turnover. We are currently preparing for another investment round. We are looking for driven people who want to get behind the project and our impactful story. Our journey has only just begun: we are focusing on the Belgian and Dutch markets first, with the ambition to expand internationally afterwards.